The Ghana Journalists’ Association (GJA) has called for the arrest of the Member of Parliament for Yendi in the Northern region, one Farouk Aliu Mahama.
The legislator, is alleged to have personally assaulted a Citi FM/TV journalist who was covering proceedings in the constituency during the party’s parliamentary primaries Saturday, January 27, 2024.
According to reports, it took the security officers present to rescue the reporter from the MP whose dastardly act was supported by his entourage. The GJA, is thus calling on the police to as a matter of urgency, arrest the MP to ensure justice is served the journalist.
“We are by this press statement calling on the Ghana Police Service to, as a matter of urgency, arrest the MP over this barbaric act. The GJA will work assiduously with the Police to ensure that justice is served in this matter,” the statement indicated in some parts.
Find below the full statement from the Ghana Journalists’ Association:
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PRESS RELEASE: GJA condemns attack on CITI FM/TV Reporter
TAMALE, JANUARY 28, 2024 – It has officially been reported to us that Mr Mohammed Aminu Alabira, a Reporter for CITI FM/TV, was attacked at the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Parliamentary Primaries in the Yendi Constituency in the Northern Region while he was covering proceedings there.
According to Mr Alabira, while going about his professional duties on Saturday, January 27, 2024 the Member of Parliament (MP) for Yendi, Alhaji Farouk Aliu Mahama slapped and kicked him, and he fell on the ground. He added that some of the MP’s supporters also pounced on him in the full glare of the security personnel, who managed to rescue him from them.
The GJA strongly condemns this antediluvian act. It is very sad and disturbing that this boorish and vulgar act was perpetrated by no less a person than the MP of the area. This is very shameful and must be condemned by all well-meaning citizens.
The MP should know that as a law maker, we are governed by laws and behaviours such as what he displayed will not be entertained.
We are by this press statement calling on the Ghana Police Service to, as a matter of urgency, arrest the MP over this barbaric act. The GJA will work assiduously with the Police to ensure that justice is served in this matter.
We, the Regional Executive, together with the National Executive, reaffirm our readiness to protect all journalists in the region especially in the performance of their lawful duties without hindrance.
We are sounding a caution to all especially as the political season gets heated that we shall not tolerate any form of abuse on journalists from any individual or group of persons.
TO ALL MEDIA HOUSES
Yakubu Abdul-Majeed
Chairman, GJA – N/R
